Christchurch's newest venue opens with evening garden party

Christchurch's newest venue opens with an exclusive evening
garden party

Vbase celebrated
the opening of its newest venue, ilex with an exclusive
garden party last night.

Located in the heart of
Christchurchs beautiful Botanic Gardens, the $16.4 million
Centre was designed by leading New Zealand architects
Patterson Associates. It marries white embossed concrete
with clean glass panels and plant cell motifs to create a
visually striking building that sits at ease within its
natural surroundings.

Vbase chairman and Christchurch City
Councillor Jamie Gough welcomed guests, saying Vbase was
thrilled to add ilex to the list of venues it manages.

This is truly a unique space and we believe it is going
to quickly become a jewel in Christchurchs crown - a place
with the real wow factor. To manage it along with our other
venues, CBS Canterbury Arena, AMI Stadium, and Air Force
Museum is a real honour, he said.

Were certainly
very excited about the possibilities it offers to event
organisers looking for a special venue for their next
function or event.

In the new building is a light and
airy multi-purpose function room ideal for everything from
weddings to cocktail parties, dinners and meetings. The
function room can comfortably seat up to 160 people and its
riverside location provides unparalleled indoor and outdoor
entertaining opportunities.

In addition to the function
room there is also an attractive cafe with seating for a
further 60, providing another great option for evening
events.

The Botanic Gardens Centre also combines a working
nursery, a botanical research herbarium and a permanent
exhibition telling the story of Christchurch through plants
and gardens.

The name ilex stems from the old name for
the Holm Oak or Quercus ilex. In ancient Rome these
evergreen leaves were used to make a crown of honour, once
held in higher regard than those made of gold.

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